Semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device includes a transistor having a gate electrode, a first electrode, and a second electrode and first and second protection circuits each having one end commonly connected to the gate electrode and the other end connected to the first and second electrodes, respectively. The first and second protection circuits are formed in first and second polysilicon layers, respectively, formed separately on a single field insulating film.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of the priority ofJapanese patent application No. 2011-271937, filed on Dec. 13, 2011, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by referencethereto.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device. In particular,it relates to a technique for a circuit that protects a gate of atransistor.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

A power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) andan insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) are widely used as a powercontrol transistor. A protection circuit, including clamp diodes orzener diodes, is often used for a gate of such transistor, to improveresistance to a surge voltage caused by electrostatic discharge or anexternally-connected inductor, for example. Patent Literatures (PTLs) 1and 2 disclose a semiconductor device including such protection circuit.

The semiconductor device disclosed in PTL 1 includes a semiconductorelement serving as an active element, first and second main terminalsconnected to the semiconductor element and a power supply, a controlterminal controlling a current flowing between the first and second mainterminals, voltage-dividing elements arranged between the first mainterminal and the control terminal and dividing a voltage therebetween,and a voltage detection terminal outputting a voltage divided by thevoltage-dividing elements. More specifically, the semiconductor deviceincludes clamp diodes corresponding to zener diodes between a collectorand a gate of the IGBT, and a dedicated area is arranged for these clampdiodes.

The semiconductor device disclosed in PTL 2 includes at least an area ofone conductivity type formed approximately in the center of polysiliconhaving one plane. In addition, the semiconductor device includes atleast a plurality of areas of the other conductivity type and aplurality of areas of one conductivity type alternately arranged tosurround the area of one conductivity type. In this semiconductordevice, the area of one conductivity type formed approximately in thecenter is connected to a source or a drain of a transistor, and theoutermost area of one conductivity type or the other conductivity typeis connected to the drain or the source of the transistor. In addition,an area of one conductivity type or the other conductivity type arrangedbetween the area formed approximately in the center and the outermostarea is connected to the gate of the transistor.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 19, gate-drain clamp diodes109 are collectively arranged inside gate-source zener diodes 110.Hereinafter, only a main portion relating to arrangement of thisprotection circuit will be described. A source wiring 112 is connectedto an N⁺ type layer located at one end of the gate-source zener diodes110 via an opening 121. A gate wiring 111 is connected to an N⁺ typelayer located at the other end of the gate-source zener diodes 110 andat one end of the clamp diodes 109 via an opening 114. A drain wiring117 is connected to an N⁺ type layer (a rectangular N⁺ type layer at thecenter) located at another end of the clamp diodes 109 via an opening118. The source wiring 112, the gate wiring 111, and the drain wiring117 are formed as aluminum wirings in the same layer. For connection tothe clamp diodes 109, the drain electrode aluminum (drain wiring 117) isextended from an outer periphery of the chip to a center portion of theclamp diodes 109. In addition, the drain electrode aluminum (drainwiring 117) is arranged in a horizontal U shape. A bonding pad 113 forthe gate wiring is arranged in a center portion surrounded by thehorizontal U-shaped drain wiring 117.

In this semiconductor device, a plurality of areas of one conductivitytype and a plurality of areas of the other conductivity type arealternately arranged to surround an area of one conductivity typelocated approximately in the center of polysilicon. In this way, diodeshaving a long junction length can be obtained without excessivelyincreasing the chip dimension. In addition, by connecting the areaslocated approximately in the center of polysilicon and the outermostarea of polysilicon to the source and the drain of the transistor and byconnecting an area arranged between these areas to the gate of thetransistor, a diode can be arranged between the gate and the source andbetween the gate and the drain of the transistor, without excessivelyincreasing the chip dimension.

[PTL 1]

Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. JP2001-244463A

[PTL 2]

Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-H08-172190A

SUMMARY

The following analysis is given by the present invention.

In the case of the semiconductor device disclosed in PTL 1, a dedicatedarea for the zener diodes needs to be arranged. Thus, when an existingproduct is provided with a new zener diode (a collector clamp diode, agate-drain clamp zener diode) to improve resistance to electrostaticdischarge, the zener diode needs to be arranged in a part of a validcell area. Thus, the chip size needs to be increased, resulting in acost increase. In addition, if the semiconductor device needs to beapplied to an existing product and change in chip size is not possible,for example, the on-resistance is increased. Namely, characteristicdegradation is unavoidable.

In addition, in the case of the semiconductor device disclosed in PTL 2,since the bonding pad 113 is arranged in the center portion surroundedby the horizontal U-shaped drain wiring 117 because of the shape of thedrain electrode aluminum, the area in which the bonding pad 113 can bearranged is limited. Namely, the opening 118 serving as a contactbetween the group of clamp diodes 109 and the drain wiring 117 needs tohe arranged at the rectangular N⁺ type layer at the center. Therefore,since the bonding pad 113 needs to be formed while avoiding therectangular N⁺ type layer at the center, the area in which the bondingpad 113 can be arranged is strictly limited, decreasing the flexibilityin layout in chip designing. Thus there is a need in the art.

A semiconductor device according to an aspect of the present inventioncomprises: a transistor having a gate electrode, a first electrode, anda second electrode; and first and second protection circuits each havingone end commonly connected to the gate electrode and the other endconnected to the first and second electrodes, respectively; wherein thefirst and second protection circuits are formed in first and secondpolysilicon layers, respectively, formed separately on a single fieldinsulating film.

The meritorious effects of the present disclosure include the following,without limitation thereto. According to the present disclosure, an areain which a gate pad can be arranged can be widened. Therefore, theflexibility in layout in chip designing is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a semiconductordevice according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively,illustrating a corner portion of the semiconductor device according tothe first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a firstmanufacturing step.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the corner portion of thesemiconductor device according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure in a second manufacturing step.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the corner portion of thesemiconductor device according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure in a third manufacturing step.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively,illustrating the corner portion of the semiconductor device according tothe first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a fourthmanufacturing step.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively,illustrating the corner portion of the semiconductor device according tothe first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a fifthmanufacturing step.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively,illustrating the corner portion of the semiconductor device according tothe first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a sixthmanufacturing step.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively,illustrating the corner portion of the semiconductor device according tothe first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a seventhmanufacturing step.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively,illustrating the corner portion of the semiconductor device according tothe first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a eighthmanufacturing step.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of the cornerportion of the semiconductor device according to the first exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure in a final manufacturing step.

FIG. 11 illustrates an equivalent circuit of the semiconductor deviceaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating another configuration of thesemiconductor device according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively,illustrating another configuration of the semiconductor device accordingto the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in theeighth manufacturing step.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively,illustrating a configuration of a semiconductor device according to asecond exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates an equivalent circuit of the semiconductor deviceaccording to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a semiconductordevice according to a third exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively,illustrating a configuration of a semiconductor device according to afourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line A-B, illustrating theconfiguration of the semiconductor device according to the fourthexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are a plan view and a sectional view illustrating aconfiguration of a conventional semiconductor device.

PREFERRED MODES

Next, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be outlined.The reference characters in the following outline are merely used asexamples to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure. Namely,the reference characters are not intended to limit the presentdisclosure to the modes as illustrated in the drawings.

A semiconductor device according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure comprises: a transistor having a gate electrode, afirst electrode, and a second electrode; and first and second protectioncircuits (corresponding to 22 and 21 in FIG. 9B) each having one endcommonly connected to the gate electrode and the other end connected tothe first and second electrodes, respectively, wherein the first andsecond protection circuits are formed in first and second polysiliconlayers (corresponding to 8 and 7 in FIG. 9A and 9B), respectively,formed separately on a single field insulating film (corresponding to 3in FIGS. 9A and 9B).

In the semiconductor device, it is preferable that the first protectioncircuit comprise: a first center portion (corresponding to rectangularshaped 12 in FIGS. 9A and 9B) of a first conductivity type arranged in acenter portion of the first polysilicon layer (corresponding to 8 inFIGS. 9A and 9B); a first band portion (corresponding to 11 in FIGS. 9Aand 9B) of a second conductivity type circularly (i.e., as a surroundingloop) arranged outside the first center portion; and a second bandportion (corresponding to L-shaped 12 in FIGS. 9A and 9B) of the firstconductivity type circularly arranged outside the first band portion. Inaddition, it is preferable that the second protection circuit comprise:a second center portion (corresponding to 12 in FIGS. 9A and 9B) of thefirst conductivity type arranged in a center portion of the secondpolysilicon layer (corresponding to 7 in FIGS. 9A and 9B); a third bandportion (corresponding to 11 in FIGS. 9A and 9B) of the secondconductivity type circularly arranged outside the second center portion;and a fourth band portion (corresponding to 12 in FIGS. 9A and 9B) ofthe first conductivity type circularly arranged outside the third bandportion. In addition, it is preferable that the first and second centerportions be commonly connected to the gate electrode (corresponding to 6in FIGS. 9A and 9B) via a gate wiring film (corresponding to 17 in FIGS.9A and 9B), that the second band portion be connected to the firstelectrode (corresponding to 19 in FIGS. 9A and 9B) that supplies a drainpotential, and that the fourth band portion be connected to the secondelectrode (corresponding to 18 in FIGS. 9A and 9B). For example, in thecase of a MOSFET, the first protection circuit can be formed as aprotection circuit between the gate and the drain and the secondprotection circuit can be formed as a protection circuit between thegate and the source. Note that the gate, the drain and the source arecorresponding to a control terminal, a first terminal and a secondterminal of the MOSFET, respectively.

In the semiconductor device, it is preferable that the Outermost bandportion in the first polysilicon layer be connected to the firstelectrode of the transistor on a chip edge side corresponding to theright side in FIGS. 9A and 9B).

In the semiconductor device, it is preferable that an overall area inwhich the first and second protection circuits are arranged have anapproximately square shape.

In the semiconductor device, at least one of the first and second centerportions of the first and second protection circuits may have an L shapeas viewed from a direction perpendicular to a substrate.

In the semiconductor device, the other one of the first and secondcenter portions of the first and second protection circuits may have anL shape or a square shape as viewed from the direction perpendicular tothe substrate.

In the semiconductor device, the first protection circuit may furthercomprise another circular band portion of the first conductivity typeand another circular band portion of the second conductivity typebetween the first center portion and the second band portion and thesecond protection circuit may further comprise another circular bandportion of the first conductivity type and another circular band portionof the second conductivity type between the second center portion andthe fourth band portion.

In the semiconductor device, the first protection circuit may furthercomprise a band diffused resistor (corresponding to 23 in FIG. 14)circularly arranged in the first polysilicon layer. The inside of thediffused resistor may be connected to the outermost band portion in thefirst polysilicon layer, and the first electrode may be connected to theoutside of the diffused resistor, instead of the outermost hand portionin the first polysilicon layer.

In the semiconductor device, the transistor may be ametal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) or aninsulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT).

In the semiconductor device, the first and second protection circuitsare formed in separate polysilicon layers on a single field insulatingfilm. In addition, the contact between the first protection circuit andthe first electrode is arranged at a part of the outermost band portionof the first protection circuit, the part being closest to a chip edge.Thus, an area in which a gate pad can be arranged can be widened.

Hereinafter, more specific exemplary embodiments will be described indetail with reference to the drawings, by using a MOSFET as an example.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 1

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a semiconductordevice according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In FIG. 1, an equi-potential ring (EQR) aluminum layer 19 isarranged at the outermost periphery of the chip, and a gate aluminumlayer 17 (gate wiring film) is arranged inside the EQR aluminum layer 19(first electrode). In addition, a valid cell area 24 is arranged insidethe gate aluminum layer 17. The gate aluminum layer 17 is connected to agate pad area 25 indicated by a dashed line at a corner portion of thechip. A source electrode (second electrode) is formed in the valid cellarea 24, and a drain electrode (not shown) is formed on the back surfaceof the substrate. Note that the gate pad area 25, the drain electrodeand the source electrode function as a control terminal, a firstterminal and a second terminal of the MOSFET, respectively. The EQRaluminum layer 19 is electrically connected to the drain electrode. Inshort, the EQR aluminum layer 19 is supplied with a drain potential.

Hereinafter, a configuration of a main portion of the present disclosurewill he described based on a series of manufacturing steps, withreference to plan views and sectional views of the gate pad area withinthe dashed line. FIGS. 2A to 10 are plan views and sectional viewsillustrating the corner portion of the semiconductor device according tothe first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Some of theelements are not illustrated in these plan views and sectional views.

First, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, two P-type well layers 2 areformed in an upper portion of an N-type substrate 1 by resistpatterning, ion implantation, and thermal treatment. Next, after anitride film is patterned on the periphery area including the gate padformation area, LOCOS is executed, to form a thick oxide film layer 3.This oxide film layer 3 corresponds to a field insulating film. In FIG.2B, the left-side well layer 2 is arranged to surround the valid cellarea 24, and the right-side well layer 2 is arranged along the chipedge. A semiconductor substrate formed by stacking an N⁻ type epitaxiallayer on an N⁺ type high-concentration substrate is often used as thesubstrate 1. In FIG. 2B, the N⁺ type high-concentration substrate is notillustrated.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 3 (a corresponding plan view is notillustrated), to form a gate electrode in the valid cell area 24,trenches 4 are formed by patterning and silicon etching. Next, a gateoxide film 5 is formed on the trench walls of the trenches 4 by thermaloxidation.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 4 (a corresponding plan view is notIllustrate), a polysilicon layer 6 is formed on the entire surfaceincluding the trenches 4. A portion of the polysilicon layer 6, wherezener diodes are subsequently formed, is masked by a resist 27 and isthen subjected to ion implantation by using phosphorus, for example. Inthis way, resistance of the ion implanted portion is lowered. Thispolysilicon whose resistance has been lowered serves as a gateelectrode.

Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, patterning is executed to forma polysilicon layer (second polysilicon layer) 7 for gate-source zenerdiodes (second protection circuit), a polysilicon layer (firstpolysilicon layer) 8 for gate-drain zener diodes (first protectioncircuit), a gate lead-out polysilicon layer 9, and an EQR polysiliconlayer 10. The portions other than the above layers are removed by etchback. The polysilicon layers 8 and 10 are connected to each other andformed as a continuous pattern. The polysilicon layer 6 is left toremain in the trenches 4 and serves as a gate electrode. The polysiliconlayer 6 serving as a gate electrode and the gate lead-out polysiliconlayer 9 are formed as a continuous pattern. The polysilicon layers 6 and9, the polysilicon layer 7, and the polysilicon layers 8 and 10 areseparated from each other.

Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the polysilicon layers 7 and 8are subjected to ion implantation by using boron, for example, to formzener-diode P layers 11 in the polysilicon layers 7 and 8. Next, thepolysilicon layers 7 and 8 are subjected to ion implantation by usingarsenic, for example, to form zener-diode N layers 12. When these P andN layers 11 and 12 are formed, the stage number (corresponding to thenumber of P layers 11 of concentric loop bands) is determined bypatterning so that withstand voltage is obtained.

Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, P type base layers 13, N⁺ typesource layers 14, and P⁺ type back gate contact layers 15 are formed inthe valid cell area 24 by patterning, ion implantation, and thermaltreatment. In addition, an N diffusion layer identical to the sourcelayers 14 is formed as a scribe diffusion layer 26 in a right-end scribeportion.

Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, an interlayer film 32 such as aboron phosphor silicate glass (BPSG) is formed, and contact areas 16 areformed by patterning and etching. In this step, contact areas 16 for thegate and the source are formed for the polysilicon layer 7, and contactareas 16 for the gate and the drain are formed for the polysilicon layer8.

Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, aluminum, for example, isformed by sputtering or the like and the aluminum is patterned to form agate aluminum layer 17, a source aluminum layer 18, and an EQR aluminumlayer 19. The gate aluminum layer 17 is patterned to cover the gatecontact areas 16 of the polysilicon layers 7 and 8. The source aluminumlayer 18 is patterned to cover the source contact area of thepolysilicon layer 7. The EQR aluminum layer 19 is patterned to cover thedrain contact area 16 of the polysilicon layer 8. In this case, the EQRaluminum layer 19 is into contact with the scribe diffusion layer 26.Namely, the EQR aluminum layer 19 is connected to the scribe diffusionlayer 26. The potential of the scribe diffusion layer 26 is subjected toa drain potential, thereby the EQR aluminum layer 19 is supplied withthe drain potential. Therefore, the EQR aluminum layer 19 iscorresponding to the drain to which the gate-drain zener diode isconnected.

Finally, for protection, a cover film 20 such as a phosphor silicateglass (PSG) is formed by patterning, so that source and gate wirings canbe laid out. An opening portion in the cover film 20 serves as a gatepad opening 33 in which a gate wiring is laid out. The gate pad opening33 is an area in which a gate pad can be laid out. Portions denoted byreference characters 21 and 22 serve as gate-source zener diodes and agate-drain zener diodes, respectively. The gate-drain zener diodes 22operate as a clamp function for protecting the gate-drain path when anexcessive drain voltage is applied. By discharging charges caused bystatic electricity, withstand voltage to electrostatic breakdown betweenthe gate and the drain is improved.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 10 (a corresponding plan view illustrated),a drain electrode 29 is formed on the back surface of an N⁺ typehigh-concentration substrate 28. This is a final form of thesemiconductor device according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates an equivalent circuit of the semiconductor devicehaving the above configuration. A MOS transistor MN1 formed in the validcell area 24 has the gate-source zener diodes 21 between the gate andthe source and the gate-drain zener diodes 22 between the gate and thedrain.

As described above, in the semiconductor device according to the presentexemplary embodiment, the polysilicon layer (second polysilicon layer) 7for the gate-source zener diodes (second protection element) 21 and thepolysilicon layer (first polysilicon layer) 8 for the gate-drain zenerdiodes (first protection element) 22 are separated from each other asdifferent polysilicon layers, and these polysilicon layers 7 and 8 areformed on the oxide film layer 3. In the polysilicon layer 7 near thesource aluminum layer 18, N/P/N/P/N layers of concentric loop bands areformed and used as the gate-source zener diodes 21. In addition, in thepolysilicon layer 8 near the EQR aluminum layer 19 (near a chip edge),N/P/N/P/N layers of concentric loop bands are formed and used as thegate-drain zener diodes 22. The gate aluminum layer 17 is into contactwith the central N layer (second center portion) 12 of the gate-sourcezener diode 21 and the central N layer (first center portion) 12 of thegate-drain zener diode 22. The outermost N layer (second band portion)of the gate-drain zener diode 22 near a chip edge serves as a contactbetween the EQR aluminum layer 19 and the gate-drain zener diode 22. Theoutermost N layer (fourth band portion) of the gate-source zener diode21 near the source aluminum layer 18 serves as a contact between thesource aluminum layer 18 and the group of the gate-source zener diodes21.

With this configuration, a contact between the group of the gate-drainzener diodes 22 and a drain node, namely, the position of the contactbetween the outermost N layer (second band portion) of the polysiliconlayer 8 and the EQR aluminum layer 19 is located near a chip edge. Inaddition, a contact between the group of the gate-source zener diodes 21and a source node, namely, the position of the contact between theoutermost N layer (fourth band portion) of the polysilicon layer 7 andthe source aluminum layer 18 is located near the source aluminum layer18. In this way, the area between these contacts, namely, the area inwhich the gate pad is formed can be widened (the gate pad opening 33 inFIG. 9B).

In the semiconductor device according to PTL 2, gate-source zener diodesof concentric loop bands are formed in a single polysilicon layer, andgate-drain zener diodes of concentric loop bands are formed inside thegate-source zener diodes. Thus, as seen from FIGS. 19A and 19B, whilethe opening 121, which is a contact between the group of the gate-sourcezener diodes 110 and the source node, can be formed at the outermost Nlayer, the opening 118, which is a contact between the group of thegate-drain zener diodes and the drain node, needs to be formed at thecentral N layer of the polysilicon layer. Consequently, since a gate padGP needs to be formed while avoiding this opening 118, the area in whichthe gate pad GP can be formed is limited.

In contrast, in the semiconductor device according to the presentembodiment, the group of the gate-source zener diodes 21 and the groupof the gate-drain zener diodes 22 are formed in separate polysiliconlayers. In addition, the contact between the source node and the groupof the gate-source zener diodes 21 and the contact between the drainnode and the group of the gate-drain zener diodes 22 are located nearthe source electrode and a chip edge, respectively. In this way, thearea between the contacts is widened. A gate pad is laid out in thisarea, and the central N layers of both the polysilicon layers areconnected to the gate pad.

With the semiconductor device according to the present exemplaryembodiment, only by changing the positions of the polysilicon layers, Nand P layers, and contacts, namely, only by changing mask patterns, thearea for a gate pad can be widened without increasing the number ofprocess steps, compared with that of the semiconductor device accordingto PTL 2. Namely, compared to before, the area in which a gate pad canbe laid out is widened, and design flexibility is improved. Thus, forexample, even when the semiconductor device needs to be applied to anexisting product and change in chip size is not possible, thesemiconductor device can flexibly accommodate the need.

In the above description, the gate pad is laid out at a corner portionof the chip. However, the present disclosure is not limited to suchexample. The gate pad can be laid out near a center portion along a chipedge. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a semiconductor device including a gatepad area 25 a indicated by a dashed line and located near a centerportion along a chip edge. In FIG. 12, reference characters identical tothose in FIG. 1 represent identical elements.

FIG. 13A is a plan view of an area including the gate pad area 25 a inFIG. 12. FIG. 13B is a sectional view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 13A.As illustrated in FIG. 13B, in the area near the chip edge, the EQRaluminum layer 19 is formed on the EQR polysilicon layer 10. The contactbetween the EQR aluminum layer 19 and the scribe diffusion layer 26 isformed at a corner portion (not illustrated) of the chip. In this case.the contact between the EQR aluminum layer 19 and the scribe diffusionlayer 26 has the same sectional view as that illustrated in FIG. 9B.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 2

FIGS. 14A and 14B are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively,illustrating a configuration of a semiconductor device according to asecond exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 14,reference characters identical to those in FIG. 9 represent identicalelements, and description thereof will be omitted. The semiconductordevice according to the present exemplary embodiment includes alow-concentration N⁻ layer 23 outside the outermost N layer 12 in thepolysilicon layer 8 for the gate-drain zener diodes 22. The N⁻ layer 23is formed as a polysilicon layer having concentration lower than that ofthe N layers 12 for the zener diodes and is formed by ion implantationor the like after the EQR polysilicon layer 10 is formed and patterned.The N⁻ layer 23 serves as a diffused resistor (polysilicon resistor)included in the protection circuit connected to the drain. FIG. 15illustrates an equivalent circuit of a semiconductor device having suchconfiguration. In contrast to the circuit in FIG. 11, the circuit inFIG. 15 includes a diffused resistor corresponding to the N⁻ layer 23between the drain and the gate-drain zener diodes 22 of the MOStransistor MN1.

With such semiconductor device as described above, for example, evenwhen the stage number of the gate-drain zener diodes 22 is insufficientand a sufficient clamp voltage cannot be ensured, the N⁻ layer 23 servesas a resistor connected in series with the zener diodes 22 and absorbsthe applied voltage. As a result, resistance to ESD can be improved. Inaddition, the N⁻ layer 23 can have an arbitrary resistance value bychanging the ion implantation dose amount when formed. Thus, the N⁻layer 23 serves as an element for adjusting the clamp voltage.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 3

In the first exemplary embodiment, the area in which the gate-sourcezener diodes 21 are formed has an L planar shape, and the area in whichthe gate-drain zener diodes 22 are formed has a rectangular planarshape. However, according to a third exemplary embodiment, both thegate-source and gate-drain zener diodes 21 and 22 have an L planarshape.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to the thirdexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The A-A′ sectional viewis the same as that in FIG. 10. In FIG. 16, while the area in which thegate-drain zener diodes 22 are formed has an L planar shape, otherconfigurations are the same as those illustrated in FIG. 9.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above example. Variousvariations can be made to the shape of the zener diode layout areasaccording to the present disclosure. In the first exemplary embodiment,the area in which the gate-source zener diodes 21 are laid out has an Lplanar shape and the area in which the gate-drain zener diodes 22 arelaid out has a rectangular planar shape. However, alternatively, thearea in which the gate-source zener diodes 21 are laid out may have arectangular planar shape and the area in which the gate-drain zenerdiodes 22 are laid out may have an L planar shape.

If the planar shape of the zener diode layout area is changed from arectangular shape to an L shape, since the peripheral length isincreased, the cross-sectional area is increased. Thus, it is possibleto reduce the dynamic resistance of the zener diode.

If a combination of an L shape and a rectangular shape or a combinationof L shapes is used, it is preferable that the entire area in which thegate-source zener diodes 21 and the gate-drain zener diodes 22 are laidout have a rectangular shape close to a square shape. In this way, thegate pad can be formed in a square shape, which enables easy bonding.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 4

According to the first exemplary embodiment, the semiconductor deviceincludes the ring-shaped EQR polysilicon layer 10 and the ring-shapedEQR aluminum layer 19 that are arranged at the periphery of the chip.However, the present disclosure is not limited to such example. Asemiconductor device according to the present disclosure can be realizedwithout the EQR aluminum layer 19. For example, the present disclosureis applicable, even when the EQR aluminum layer is not formed along achip edge but formed only at a corner portion of the chip (even when theEQR aluminum layer is not formed in a ring) or even when neither the EQRpolysilicon layer nor the EQR aluminum layer is present.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively,illustrating a configuration of a semiconductor device according to afourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 17A is aplan view in which neither the EQR polysilicon layer nor the EQRaluminum layer is present. FIG. 17B is a sectional view taken along lineA-A′ in FIG. 17A. This A-A′ sectional view is similar to thatillustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 17A is different from FIG. 9A in that acontact aluminum layer 31 (a first electrode) is used as the aluminumlayer located at the bottom right in FIG. 17A, instead of the EQRaluminum layer 19 in FIG. 17A. FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken alongline A-B in FIG. 17A (taken along a dashed line extending from A towardA′ and bent to extend to B at an opening 16). The gate-drain zenerdiodes 22 and the scribe diffusion layer 26 (having the same potentialas that of the drain) are into contact with each other via the contactaluminum layer 31 at a corner portion of the chip.

Various variations can be made to the configuration of the semiconductordevice according to the present disclosure, without being limited to theabove exemplary embodiments. In the above exemplary embodiments, thegate-drain zener diodes 22 and the drain are connected via the EQRaluminum layer 19 or the contact aluminum layer 31 and the scribediffusion layer 26. However, the present disclosure is not limited tosuch examples. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in PTL 2, connectionbetween the drain aluminum electrode and the drain N layer isapplicable. In addition, by modifying connection to the drain area andarrangement of the pad, the EQR aluminum layer can be used as the drainelectrode and the drain pad. In this way, the source, gate, and drainterminals can be formed on a chip surface. In this case, the drainelectrode formed like the EQR aluminum layer is corresponding to a firstelectrode.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiments, the gate-source zenerdiodes 21 and the gate-drain zener diodes 22 are formed as N/P/N/P/Nlayers of concentric loop bands. However, the stage number and theimpurity concentration of the zener diodes are not limited to the aboveexamples. For example, the gate-source zener diodes 21 and thegate-drain zener diodes 22 may be formed as N/P/N layers, N⁺/P/N⁺layers, or N/P/N/P/N/P/N layers, to obtain desired withstand voltage.Alternatively, other than aluminum, the electrodes may be formed by analuminum alloy, copper, or the like.

In addition, a transistor of the semiconductor device according to thepresent disclosure is applicable not only to a MOSFET but also to anIGBT. In this case, by laying out a P type buffer layer between the Ntype high concentration substrate 28 and the drain electrode 29 in FIG.10, it is possible to form an insulated gate bipolar transistor in whichthe source electrode and the drain electrode serve as an emitterelectrode and a collector electrode, respectively. In this case, asecond electrode is corresponding to the emitter electrode, a firstelectrode is corresponding to an electrode such as the EQR aluminumlayer 19 and the contact aluminum layer 31 described above, which iselectrically connected to a collector electrode.

The above description has been made assuming that an N type MOSFET isincluded in the semiconductor device. If a P type MOSFET is included inthe semiconductor device, the N type and P type elements in the aboveexemplary embodiments are reversed. However, regarding theconfigurations of the gate-source zener diodes 21 and the gate-drainzener diodes 22, there is no need to change the N type and P typeelements.

The disclosures of the above Patent Literatures and the like areincorporated herein by reference thereto. Modifications and adjustmentsof the exemplary embodiments and examples are possible within the scopeof the overall disclosure (including the claims) of the presentdisclosure and based on the basic technical concept of the presentdisclosure. Various combinations and selections of various disclosedelements (including the elements in each of the claims, examples,drawings, etc.) are possible within the scope of the claims of thepresent disclosure. That is, the present disclosure of course includesvarious variations and modifications that could be made by those skilledin the art according to the overall disclosure including the claims andthe technical concept. Numerical numbers disclosed are only by way ofexample and any other numbers may be selected as necessary.

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor device, comprising: a transistorhaving a gate electrode, a first electrode, and a second electrode; andfirst and second protection circuits each having one end commonlyconnected to the gate electrode and the other end connected to the firstand second electrodes, respectively; wherein the first and secondprotection circuits are formed in first and second polysilicon layers,respectively, formed separately on a single field insulating film. 2.The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the firstprotection circuit comprises: a first center portion of a firstconductivity type arranged in a center portion of the first polysiliconlayer; a first band portion of a second conductivity type circularlyarranged outside the first center portion; and a second band portion ofthe first conductivity type circularly arranged outside the first bandportion; wherein the second protection circuit comprises: a secondcenter portion of the first conductivity type arranged in a centerportion of the second polysilicon layer; a third band portion of thesecond conductivity type circularly arranged outside the second centerportion; and a fourth band portion of the first conductivity typecircularly arranged outside the third band portion; and wherein thefirst and second center portions are commonly connected to the gateelectrode via a gate wiring film, the second band portion is connectedto the first electrode, and the fourth band portion is connected to thesecond electrode.
 3. The semiconductor device according to claim 2,wherein the gate wiring film comprises a gate pad in an area thatoverlaps with the first and second polysilicon layers.
 4. Thesemiconductor device according to claim 3, wherein the second bandportion in the first polysilicon layer is connected to the firstelectrode on a chip edge side.
 5. The semiconductor device according toclaim 1, wherein an overall area in which the first and secondprotection circuits are arranged has an approximately square shape. 6.The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein at least one ofthe first and second center portions has an L shape as viewed from adirection perpendicular to a substrate.
 7. The semiconductor deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the other one of the first and secondcenter portions has an L shape or a square shape as viewed from thedirection perpendicular to the substrate.
 8. The semiconductor deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first protection circuit furthercomprises another circular band portion of the first conductivity typeand another circular band portion of the second conductivity typebetween the first center portion and the second band portion; andwherein the second protection circuit further comprises another circularband portion of the first conductivity type and another circular bandportion of the second conductivity type between the second centerportion and the fourth band portion.
 9. The semiconductor deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first protection circuit furthercomprises a band diffused resistor circularly arranged outside thesecond band portion; and wherein the first electrode is connected to theoutside of the diffused resistor, instead of the second band portion.10. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein thetransistor is a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor(MOSFET) or an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT).